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The following are the most common factors that contribute to juvenile delinquency. Although a teen or adolescent may have experienced all of these factors below, it only takes one of these factors to result in delinquent behaviors. These are the common trends among juvenile delinquents.

Poverty. Adolescents and teens that are raised in lower and working class families are exposed to the dynamics of financial stress on a household. In order to cope with the realities of absolute and relative poverty, a teen may begin stealing for the things he/she needs or desires. Many youth under this category drop out of school to help support their families and some resort to earning money in illegitimate ways such as selling controlled substances. They adopt a survival mentality towards life and react accordingly.

Family Structure. Teens that are raised in a single parent household are more likely to engage in deviant behaviors. This also includes teens that have lost a parent either from death, divorce, or other emotionally debilitating causes. In many instances teens will engage in reckless and risky behaviors as a way to seek out an alternate means of filling the perceived void in their lives.

Domestic Violence and Abuse. Instances of domestic violence can impact teen and adolescent behavior in society. They often need to escape the reality of their situation. Verbal abuse can also affect teens and adolescents on an emotional and psychological level causing them to feel a sense of self-hate and self-resentment. They can act out on their feelings and resort to self-harm.

Trauma. Teens and adolescents who have previously been victims of rape or other traumatic experiences are at risk for delinquent behaviors. They use deviance as a coping mechanism to deal with their past and all feelings associated with the traumatic event.

Neglect. Adolescents or teens who are neglected often seek attention and acceptance in destructive crowds such as gangs. Gangs perpetuate violence in the community, and in the behaviors of those individuals involved. For some youth, this is their family structure and they feel a sense of duty and obligation towards that family.

Substance Abuse and Addiction. Teens who have parents and loved ones who abuse substances legal and illegal, are more likely to either become addicts themselves or they begin a series of delinquent behaviors. This type of family relationship diminishes trust and destroys family ties. These factors, among many others, are the trends in juvenile delinquency.

Learn more about this author, Terri Register.
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